Aloe sterol supplementation improves skin elasticity in Japanese men with sunlight-exposed skin: a 12-week double-blind, randomized controlled trial

Figures & data

Table 1 Ingredient composition of the tablets in this study

	Placebo (mg/5 tablets)	Aloe sterol (mg/5 tablets)
AVGP*	0	500
Dextrin	500	0
Citric acid	100	100
Maltose	1417.5	1417.5
Sour milk	25	25
Cellulose	250	250
Calcium phosphate	12.5	12.5
Flavor	87.5	87.5
Glycerin fatty acid	50	50
Sugar ester	50	50
Food color	5	5

Note:

* AVGP (500 mg) contains 40 mg of Aloe sterol.

Abbreviation: AVGP, Aloe vera gel powder.

Table 2 Demographic and baseline characteristics

Characteristic	Placebo (n=24)	Aloe sterol (n=23)
Age (years)	44.6±8.7	45.4±8.5
Height (cm)	170.07±4.03	170.76±5.54
Body weight (kg)	64.65±6.61	65.07±9.02
BMI	22.33±1.97	22.31±2.80
Systolic blood pressure (mmHg)	119.1±12.3	123.0±12.7
Diastolic blood pressure (mmHg)	75.9±8.2	75.7±9.5
Pulse rate (bpm)	63.8±11.3	61.7±8.8

Notes: Data are expressed as mean ± SD. There were no significant differences in the skin parameters between the two groups.

Abbreviations: BMI, body mass index; SD, standard deviation.

Table 3 Skin color values

Item	Group	n	0 week	4 weeks	8 weeks	12 weeks
L* value	Aloe sterol	23	62.56±4.87	61.69±4.71**	61.95±4.13	61.93±3.82
	Placebo	24	61.88±2.94	60.43±3.14**	60.68±2.52**	60.93±2.24*
a* value	Aloe sterol	23	6.21±2.28	6.48±2.00	6.20±1.99	6.80±1.93
	Placebo	24	6.43±1.48	7.19±1.61**	6.80±1.38	7.26±1.38**
b* value	Aloe sterol	23	16.59±2.30	17.02±2.39*	17.22±2.26**	17.80±2.04**
	Placebo	24	17.02±1.77	17.81±1.64**	17.75±1.42*	18.22±1.34**
Melanin index	Aloe sterol	23	0.9239±0.3105	0.9807±0.3162**	0.9645±0.2936	1.0080±0.2624**
	Placebo	24	0.9557±0.2028	1.0677±0.2142**	1.0371±0.1691**	1.0628±0.1466**

Notes: The skin color index was determined using a spectrophotometer at the forearm. Data are expressed as mean ± SD.

* P<0.05,

** P<0.005 different from week 0.

Abbreviation: SD, standard deviation.

Table 4 Analysis results of the skin elasticity parameters (R2, R5, and R7) on the forearm

Item	Group	n	0 week	4 weeks	8 weeks	12 weeks
R2 (%, gross elasticity)	Aloe sterol	23	0.823±0.029	0.835±0.037	0.837±0.035*	0.843±0.043*
	Placebo	24	0.822±0.054	0.827±0.039	0.826±0.042	0.837±0.044*
R5 (%, net elasticity)	Aloe sterol	23	0.760±0.053	0.819±0.090**	0.808±0.058**	0.826±0.076**
	Placebo	24	0.748±0.091	0.784±0.098*	0.772±0.100	0.815±0.111*
R7 (%, biological elasticity)	Aloe sterol	23	0.553±0.038	0.569±0.051*	0.568±0.046	0.575±0.060*
	Placebo	24	0.546±0.067	0.555±0.066	0.546±0.066	0.570±0.068*

Notes: R2, R5, and R7 values were determined using a Cutometer on the forearm. Data are expressed as mean ± SE.

* P<0.05,

** P<0.005, different from week 0.

Abbreviation: SE, standard error.

Figure 1 The change in the R2 (gross elasticity) of participants aged <46 years during the treatment period.

Notes: The data are expressed as mean ± SE (placebo n=12 and Aloe sterol n=11). *P<0.05 vs baseline values.
Abbreviations: AS, Aloe sterol; SE, standard error.

Figure 2 The change in the R5 (skin net elasticity) of participants aged <46 years during the treatment period.

Notes: The data are expressed as mean ± SE (placebo n=12 and Aloe sterol n=11). *P<0.05, **P<0.005 vs baseline values. ^#P<0.05 vs placebo group values.
Abbreviations: AS, Aloe sterol; SE, standard error.

Figure 3 The change in the R7 (skin biological elasticity) of participants aged <46 years during the treatment period.

Notes: The data are expressed as mean ± SE (placebo n=12 and Aloe sterol n=11). *P<0.05, **P<0.005 vs baseline values. ^#P<0.05 vs placebo group values.
Abbreviations: AS, Aloe sterol; SE, standard error.

Table S1 Sun exposure time of subject

Sun exposure habit (hours per day)	Group	n	0–4 weeks, n (%)	4–8 weeks, n (%)	8–12 weeks, n (%)
2–5*	Aloe sterol	23	21 (91.3)	16 (69.6)	13 (56.5)
	Placebo	24	17 (73.9)	14 (60.9)	7 (30.4)
<2	Aloe sterol	23	2 (8.7)	7 (30.4)	10 (43.5)
	Placebo	24	7 (29)	10 (42)	17 (71)

Note:

* Each subject was instructed to expose his arm to sunlight every day for 2–5 hours.